Expand Your Horizons in the United States
The Dutch2USA Internship Program helps Dutch students gain valuable (work) experience in the United States. This program supports students who are motivated to find their own internship and are ready to take on the adventure of living and working abroad but need financial support to make it possible.
About the Program
An internship in the U.S. allows you to grow professionally, experience a new culture, and build confidence, independence, and an international network. More than 200 students have already participated and taken an important step in their careers through this program.
This extraordinary opportunity is designed for those with a strong spirit of adventure and purpose. You will secure your own internship and housing, with financial support from us. While abroad, you will gain valuable work experience and be exposed to new ideas, ways of working, and people. You will develop self-confidence, form lasting connections, and broaden your perspective in ways you may not have anticipated. If you are ready, we are ready to help you make it happen.
Grant Benefits
The Dutch2USA Internship Grant includes:
A monthly stipend up to $1,500
$1,000 travel reimbursement
Costs and logistics in acquiring your J-1 visa
Health insurance (through the visa provided by the NAF)
This can add up to $10,000 to support your cost of living expenses in the U.S.
Beyond financial support, you will be invited to exclusive NAF events (depending on the time of year), connecting you to a vast international network.
You’ll become part of the Dutch2USA Alumni Community, a powerful …..
Who Can Apply
Our program is designed for ambitious Dutch students and recent graduates who want to gain professional experience in the United States. Eligible internships can be in many sectors, as long as they offer a valuable learning experience.
You must be 20 years or older when starting your internship
You are studying at, or a recent graduate of, a Dutch college or university (HBO or WO); if a recent graduate, your internship start date must be no more than 1 year after your graduation date due to visa guidelines
You are Dutch and at least one of the following applies to you: You hold Dutch citizenship, you are a permanent resident of the Netherlands (Verblijfsvergunning II, III, IV, or V), or you have attended at least 2 years of high school in the Netherlands (MAVO, HAVO, VWO, or gymnasium)
You can show proof in the application that you receive or have received aanvullende beurs
Your grade average is at least 7.0/10.0
You have secured an internship in the United States
Your knowledge of English is sufficient
Your internship complies with the requirements of the US government for a J-1 visa and you will not be interning under the ESTA
How To Secure an Internship?
Before applying for the Dutch2USA grant, you will first need to secure an internship in the United States. While this may seem challenging, many previous Dutch2USA interns have successfully found opportunities through a proactive and targeted approach.
Start by researching companies, organizations, or universities in the United States that align with your field of study and interests - being specific about your goals will help you identify organizations that are a strong fit.
Don’t underestimate the power of a cold email. Reaching out directly to organizations, sharing your resume, and describing the type of internship you are seeking. This approach can be particularly effective when contacting research labs at universities or smaller organizations that may not publicly advertise internship opportunities.
Larger corporations can sometimes be more difficult to approach, especially if they primarily hire interns from within the United States. However, this should not discourage you from applying. If you choose to contact larger organizations, make sure your communication is professional, concise, and clearly explains your motivation for seeking an internship in the United States.
You can also leverage the resources at your own university. Career services, international offices, or faculty members may have connections in the United States and can help introduce you to potential host organizations.
Finding an internship may take time and persistence. It is not uncommon to reach out to multiple organizations before receiving a response. However, the effort is often well worth it. Securing an internship in the United States is a significant achievement — and one that many former interns describe as a highly rewarding and confidence-building experience.
The Story Behind
The Dutch2USA Internship Program is made possible through a unique collaboration between the Golden Fleece Foundation (GFF) and the Netherland-America Foundation (NAF).
The program was launched in 2017 and is an exclusive project of the NAF and is financially supported by the GFF. This program offers talented Dutch students the opportunity to significantly enhance their career prospects by gaining valuable international work experience in the United States. It focuses exclusively on students who would not be able to realize the dream of such an international internship without financial support.
The founder of GFF, John Padget, is a passionate believer in the transformative power of an international internship and is convinced that everyone deserves the chance to experience it.
For the NAF, this program is truly at the heart of its mission: strengthening the ties between the US and the Netherlands by creating meaningful opportunities for exchange and connection.
John Padget - Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, and Founder of the Golden Fleece Foundation
